Windshield cleaher



F. G. FOLBERTH ETAI- Inmslmmn Filed latch 24, 1924 Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES `PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK G. IOLBIBTB AND WILLI l. IOLBIRTH, 0l' CLEVELAND, OHIO, AB- BIGNOBS T0 T3100 PRODUCTS ODBPOBLTIOII', 0l' BUTILLO, NEW YORK, .L GOB- WINDBHIELD Application lled latch 84, im. loria! lo. 701,510.

PORTION 0l NEW YORK.

This invention relates to windshield cleaners and more particularly to vacuum operated cleaners adapted for connection with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine.

An im ortant object of the invention is to rovi e an improved cylinder and genera motor construction.

A further ob'ect of the invention is to provide a simplified and eflicient form of valve mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a windshield cleaner as a whole which is adapted to be quickly and easily assembled for operation.

Other obects and advantages of the invention will be a parent during the course of the following escription.

In the drawings we have shown one enibodiment of the invention. In this show- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled windshield cleaner,

Figure 2 is a central vertical transverse sectional view showing the windshield cleaner in position on a windshield,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on line 4 4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of tbe valve and operating elements.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a pair of cylinder sections each preferably formed integrally of drawn sheet metal or tbe like as shown in Figure 3. The cylinders are closed at their outer ends by preferably integral heads 2. The inner edges of the cylinder sections are arranged in end to end relation and contacting with each other as shown at 3 and the inner ends of the cylinders are provided with alined recesses 4 for a purpose to be described.

The numeral 5 designates a closure plate or central member as a whole rovided with a transverse bearing 6 adapte to receive a cleaner shaft 7. The closure plate 5 is provided adjacent opposite ends and upon opposite sides of the shaft 7 with threaded o enings 8 adapted to receive screws (not sllijown) whereby the closure plate mav be secured to the frame 9 of a windshield provided with the usual glass 10, as shown in Figure 2. The outer end of the shaft 7 pro- )ectsthrough the windshield frame as shown in Figure 2 and is provided with a cleaner arm 1.1 secured thereto by a set screw 12 and carrying at its lower end a wiper blade 13 of any desired construction. The shaft 7 projects through the opposite side of the cylinder sections and'is rovided at its inner end with an o eratin andle 14.

The ends o the c osure plate 5 are rovided with curved inner faces adapte to snugly tit against the walls of the cylinder sections las shown in Fi 1ure 1 and the lower portion of the cover p ate is provided uipn its outer face with lugs 15 arranged a jacent opposite ends. The closure plate is :further provided with outwardly rojecting shoulders 16. The numeral 17 esi nates a clampin band provided at one 'en' with spaced en portions provided with openings 18 for receivin the lugs 15. The opposite end of the ban 17 is provided with a horizorital extension 19 adapted to be arranged adjacent the shoulders 16. Screws 20 pass through the extension 19 and into the shoulder 16 of the cover plate whereby the band may be secured to the cover plate. As shown in Figure 1 the band 17 conforms in curvature to and snugly lits around the inner ends of the cylinder sections 1 to sccurely hold them in their proper osition as shown. While the band frictional y grips the cup-shaped cylinder sections for firmly holding them in lace, it is not essential that the j oiiit should air tight because atmospheric pressure is admitted to the space between the pistons to be referred to. Air ma also enter the casing about the shaft 7 an for the purposes of illustration this provision for air admission has been accentuated at 7' in Fig. 2.

The cover late 'is provided with a transverse extension 21 extending through the recesses 4 formed in the ends of the cylinder sections 1 and this extension is provided with a preferably machined inner face 22 formed parallel to the axis of the cylinder sections. The cover late 5 is further provided with an extension 23 which is circular in cross section and forms a continuation of the bearing 6.

A segment gear 24 is secured in any suitable manner vto the shaft 7 centrally of the cylinder sections and preferably contacting with the end of the extension 23 as shown in Figure 2. The segment gear is provided with gear teeth 25 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The numeral 26 desi ates a pair of pistons as a whole comprising disks 27 which may be formed of metal or any other suitable `material. A washer 28 is arranged between the disks 27 of each piston and the washers 28 are provided at their outer edges with extensions 29 snugly fitting the inner' walls of the cylinders. The numeral 30 designates a connecting bar extending between the pistons and rovided with a series of alined openings 31 orming a rack adapted to receive the teeth 25 of the segment gear. The ends of the bar 30 are turned upwardly and inwardly as at 32 and screws 33 secure the elements of each piston together and to the ends 32 of the connecting bar. It willbe obvious that the bar 30 forms a rigid connection between the pistons 26 so that they move as a unit during the operation of the device.

The cover late 5 is provided upon its outer face Wit a transverse extension 34 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In its lower portion, the extension is provided with a preferably angularly arranged opening 35 threaded to receive a stem 36 having a knurled operating handle 37 at its lower end. The inner end of the stem 36 is tapered to form a valve 38 adapted to seat against a valve seat 39 formed at the upper end of the opening 35. The valve seat 39 communicates at its upper end with an outwardly and downwardly extending passage 40 drilled through the machined face 22 of the extension 21. A longitudinally extending pi e 41 communicates with the upper end o the opening 35 and the pipe 41 1s adapted to be received within one end of a tube (not shown) referably formed of rubber and connected) at its opposite end to the intake manifold of an automobile engine. As shown in Figure 4 a pair of parallel passages 42Varranged transversely of the axis ofthe cylinder are drilled through the iliachined face of the extension 2l upon oppo-` site sides of the passage 40 and the outer ends of the passages 42 connect with pipes 43, the opposite ends of which communicate as at 44 with the interior of the outer ends of the cylinder sections.

The numeral 45 designates a cu valve having machined inner edges adapte to seat against the machined face 22 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The passages 42 are provided in close proximity to the passage 4() so that the cup valve 45 will connect the passage 40 with either of the passages 42 depending upon the position of the cup valve as will be described. The numeral 46 designates a valve shifting lever pivotally connected by a screw 47 with the extension 21 above the shaft 7. The lever 46 has an outwardly curved intermediate portion 48 extendin around the sleeve 'y 23 and is provided 1n its lower end with yan opening 49 adapted to receive an axial steha 50 formed on the valve 45. The lower end of the lever 46 is provided with a transverse extension 51 terminating in an `outer up-turned end 52 having an opening 53 formed therein for a purpose to be described.

The under side of the extension 23 is rovided with lateral extensions 54 an a groove 55 is formed in the lower portion of the extension 23 and the extensions 54. The groove 55 is preferably formed parallel to the axis of the cylinders and is adapted to receive a slide 56 shown in detail in Figure 5. The central portion of the slide 56 is relatively narrow as shown and the ends of the member are provided with upwardly extending extensions 57 adapted to contact with the ends of the extensions 54 to limit the longitudinal movement of the slide. The lower central portion of the slide 56 is provided with an opening 58 adapted to receive the upper end of a compression spring 59, the lower endfof which is received in the opening 53 of the valve shifting lever. As shown in Figure 2, the slide 56 is preferably arranged slightly outwardly of the bar 30 so as to contact with the inner disk 27 of either piston. It will be obvious, however, that the ends of the slide may contact with the up-turned ends 32 of the bar 30 if desired in which case the ends of the slide 56 would be shortened a distance equal to the thickness of the end 32. The spring 59 is the sole means of connection between the valve carrier or shifter 46 and the spring positioning member or slide 56. By reason of the fact that it is a'compres sion type of spring it not only pushes upwardly on the slide to hold it in its uiding groove 55 but it also acts to push ownwardly on the outstanding part 52 and thereby urges the valve 45 into iirm contact with the valve seat 22. This firm seating is accentuated or augmented by iving the spring a slight inclination, as epicted in Fig. 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the lower portion of the extension 21 is provided with a lateral extension 60 which may be formed integral with 'the extension 21 or may be in the form of a screw or pin mounted in the extension. The extension 60 is arranged in vertical alinement with the passage 40 and is adapted to contact with depending ortions 6l on the lever 46 as shown in igure 3 to limit the swinging movement of the lever 46 in either direction.

The operation of the device is as follows:

With the pipe 41 in communication with suitable suction producing means such as the intake manifold of an engine, the knob 37 is revolved to unseat the valve 38. The vacuum will then be communicated to the interior of the cup valve 45 as will be obvious. The cup valve will be in communication with either pipe 43 which in turn will communicate wit one of the cylinders and atmospheric pressure in the ot 1er cylinder will cause longitudinal movement of the pistons. The rack 31 will oscillate the segment ear 24 thus Swingin the cleaner arm 11 ang cleaner blade 13. s the pistons approach the end of the stroke the slide 56 will be moved by contact with one of the pistons until the upper end of the spring 59 passes beyond the point where it is in vertical alinemcnt with the lower end of the spring. This action will snap the lower end of the lever 46 in the opposite direction -A thus establishing communication between the source of vacuum and the opposite end of the cylinder. This action is repeated until it is desired to stop the operation of the cleaner whereupon the valve 38 may be closed as will be understood. The handle 14 is provided for mere convenience in case the automobile is left standing in a snow fall or the like whereby the blade 13 will stick in one position. ration of the handle 14 will loosen the b ade so that normal operation of the cleaner maybe resumed.

It will be apparent that the groove 55 acts as a slide bearing for the slide 56 and since the bottom of the bearing is open the slide may be easily inserted therein. The spring 59 is a compression spring as stated, and when the device is assembled the spring is adapted to seat the slide within its bearing and maintain it in sliding engagement therewith durin the normal operation of the device. W en assembling the valve mechanism the lever 46 is attached to the extension 2l by means of the screw 47. The lower end of the spring is then inserted in the opening 53 and the upper end within the opening 58. The slide 56 is then moved downwardly against the tension of the s ring and inwardly until it is in vertical a inement with the groove 55. The slide 56 is then allowed to move upwardly under the tension of the spring until it is properly seated in the groove. It has been found that the device may be assembled as described in a very short space of time and the parts are not likely to derangement in operation.

It is to be understood that th(` form of our invention herewith shown and described is to he taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described our invention. we claim:

1. In a windshield cleaner comnrising a casing, a movable element arranged in said casing and adapted to be operated by Huid pressure, and valve mechanism to alternately connect said casing upon opposite sides of said movable element to a source of Huid pressure, said valve mechanism comprising a pivoted member, means for limiting the movement of said member, a valve carried by said pivoted member, a guide on the casing, a slidable member arranged in said guide and adapted to be actuated by said movable element, said slidable member being provided at its ends with projecting porl tions ada )ted to engage the ends of said guide to limit the movement of said slidable member, and a compression spring connected between said pivoted member and said slidable member and positionable by the latter for movin" said pivoted member back and forth, saidn spring actin to yieldably hold the slidable member in its guide.

2. In a windshield cleaner comprising a casing, a movable element arranged in said casing and adapted to be operated by fluid ressure, and valve mechamsm to alternatey connect said casing on opposite sides of said movable element to a source of fluid pressure, said valve mechanism comprising a pivoted member, means for limiting the movement of said member, a valve carried by said pivoted member, an open slide bearing, a slidable member arranged in said bearing and adapted to be actuated by said movable element, means for limiting the movement of said slidable member, and a compresion s ring connected between said pivoted mem er and said slidable member and positionable by the latter to move theV pivoted member, said spring acting to seat raid slidable member in said bearing.

3. In a windshield cleaner comprising a casing, a movable element arranged in said casing and adapted to be operated by tlud pressure. a shaft extending transversely through said casing and adapted to be actuated by said movable element, and valve mechanism to alternately connect said casing on opposite sides of said movable element to a. source of fluid pressure, said valve mechanism comprising a valve scat` a pivoted member, a valve carried at one side of and by the pivoted member for engaging said seat, an open bearing. a slidable membcr arranged in said bearing and provided upon opposite ends with projecting portions adapted to engage the ends of said bearing to limit the movement of said slidable member. said slidable member being movable by said movable element, and a compression spring connected between said pivotcd and slidable members and acting to shift the pivoted member back and forth, said spring also acting to seat said slidable member in said bearing with said bearing, and being Btl lll)

IUT

llll

arranged on the opposite side of said pivoted member to urge the valve to its seat, said spring and said slidable member being arranged wholl to one side of said shaft.

4. 1n a win shield cleaner comprisinga casing, a movable element arranged in said casing and adapted to be operated by fluid pressure, a closure plate arranged substantially centrally of said casing and provided with a transverse bearing, a shaft Inounted in said bearing, and valve mechanism to alternately connect said casing on opposite sides of said movable element to a source of fluid pressure, said 'valve mechanism comprising a member pivotall connected t0 said closure plate above said aring and extending tlierebelow, means for limiting the movement of said member, a valve carried by said member, a slidable member slidably supported by said closure plate beneath said bearin and adapted to be actuated by said inovab e element, means for limiting the movement of said slidable member.I and a spring connected between said slidable member and the lower end of said pivotal ineinber for shifting the latter when said slidable member has properly positioned the spring.

5. A device constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein said bearing is providedV with an integral slide bearing arranged thercbelow to receive said slidable member.

6. A device constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein said bearing is provided with an integral slide bearing arranged thercbelow to receive said slidable member, the limiting means for said slidable member being adapted to engage said slide bearing.

7. In a luid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a casing having an opening in its side, a supporting member therefor having an enlargement extending inwardly throiirli the casing opening, said enlargement iaving a valve face provided with a suction port and spaced fluid porte` the fluid ports being connected to the respective ends of the casing, a valve operable over the face of said enlargement for connecting the suction port alternately with each fluid port, a part on said enlargement overhanging the ports thereof and provided with a guide cxtending lcnglhwise of the casing, a valve carrier pivote-d on said enlargement above the poits thereof, a spiin 1 for shifting the valve carrier back and fort i and connected at one end to the carrier, a spring positioning member slidable along the guide lengthwise of the casing and connected to the opposite end of the spring, a piston operable in the casing and adapted to shift the positioning member back and forth along its guide and a shaft operable by the piston.

8. 1n a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a snap-action valve mechanism comprising a casing part having a valve seat and an overhan ing bearing membei', said bearing member having a guide extending substantially parallel to the face of the valve seat, a valve on the seat, a carrier pivoted on the casing part for moving the valve on its seat, a spring positioning member, and a spring compressed between and connected to the positioning member and the carrier for shifting the latter and its Valve back and forth, said positioning member being movable back and forth along the guide by a movable part of the motor for positioning the spring lo opposite sides of its point of connection with the carrier.

9. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleancrs, a snap-action valve mechanism comprising a casing part having a valve seat and a member extending outwardly beyond the seat, said member having a guide groove, a valve, a carrier pivoted to said casing part for moving the valve over the valve seat, a spring positioning member slidably disposed in the guide groove of said member for limited movement and operable by a moving part ot' the motor, a spring compressed between the carrier and said. positioning member for shifting the carrier and its valve when properly positioned by the positioning member, said spring serving to retain the positioning Ilpember in the guide groove of said nieml0. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a snap-action valve mechanism comprising a casing art having a valve seat and a projecting earing sleeve, the sleeve .being formed with a transverse groove on its side adjacent the valve seat, a valve on `the valve seat, a carrier for shifting the valve on its seat, a positioning niember slidable in the groove of said sleeve by a movable part of the motor, and a spring compressed between the carrier and the posittoning member and ositionable by the latter to eti'ect a shift o the carrier and its valve.

11. In a fluid pressure. motor for windshield cleaners, a snap-action valve mechanism comprisiig a casing part having a valve seat and an overhangiiig projecting bearing sleeve having a transverse guide, a positioning member slidable in the guide of said sleeve and having parts engaging with the sleeve to limit its sliding movement, said member being slidable by a moving part of the motor, a valve. movable over the valve seat, a carrier pivoted on the casing pai-t for moving the valve on its seat and having a part'extending outwardly beneath the positioning member. and a spring compressed between said carrier part and the overlying positioning member for shifting the carrier when properly positioned by said positioning member.

lof

llo

l'lU

12. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a snap-action valve mechanism comprising a casing part having a valve seat and an over-hanging projecting,r sleeve, said sleeve havinpr on its' underside opposite lateral extensions and a downwardly opening transverse groove extending through said lateral extensions and said sleeve, a positioning member inserted u wardly into the groove and slidable therein by a moving part of the motor, said positioning member having,r stop portions for limiting the slidin;r movement in the groove, und said lateral extensions of the sleeve. providing a long;r bearin, r for the positioning;` member, a valve on ,the valve seat, a carrier pivotally supported by said easing part for moving said valve on its seat, said carrier having a part extended beneath the sleeve, and a spring compressed between said cal'- rier part and said positioning;r member and positionable by the latter for shifting the carrier, said spring acting to hold the positioning member in its groove.

13. In a flnid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a snap action valve mechanism comprising a casing part having a valve seat, a valve movable on the seat, a. carrier for the valve supporting the latter on one side, a slidable positioning member mounted at the opposite side of said carrier and movable by a movable part of the motor substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier, and a spring inter osed between said positioningr member an said carrier and acting on said carrier in a dual capacity to urge the valve to its seat and for shifting the carrier when properly positioned by said positioning member.

14. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield eleaners, a snap action valve mecha- Ilism comprising n easing `part having a valve seat and an overbanging support provided with a transverse guide, a )ositioning member slidable in the guide or limited movement by a moving part of the motor, a valve movable over the valve seat, a carrier pivoied to the casing part and supporting the valve at one side and having a part extending to the opposite side, and a spring compre: sed between the carrier part and the positioning member for shifting the carrie'r when properly positioned bv said member, said positioning member being offset further from said carrier than said carrier part whereby said spring,r will be disposed at an angle for urging the valve to its seat.

In testimony whereof, we ailx our signatures.

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH. WILLIAM M. FOLBERTH.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION. l

Patent No. 1,670, 680.

Granted 'May 22, 1928, to

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH ET AL.

lt is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specifiation of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page 3, line 102, claim 2, for the misspelled word "compresion" read "compression"; same page, line 130, claim 3, strike out the words "with said bearing", and page 4, lme 2, claim 3, after the word "seat" insert the words "said bearing with'j; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of June, A. D. 1928.

(Sell) M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

12. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a snap-action valve mechanism comprising a casing part having a valve seat and an over-hanging projecting,r sleeve, said sleeve havinpr on its' underside opposite lateral extensions and a downwardly opening transverse groove extending through said lateral extensions and said sleeve, a positioning member inserted u wardly into the groove and slidable therein by a moving part of the motor, said positioning member having,r stop portions for limiting the slidin;r movement in the groove, und said lateral extensions of the sleeve. providing a long;r bearin, r for the positioning;` member, a valve on ,the valve seat, a carrier pivotally supported by said easing part for moving said valve on its seat, said carrier having a part extended beneath the sleeve, and a spring compressed between said cal'- rier part and said positioning;r member and positionable by the latter for shifting the carrier, said spring acting to hold the positioning member in its groove.

13. In a flnid pressure motor for windshield cleaners, a snap action valve mechanism comprising a casing part having a valve seat, a valve movable on the seat, a. carrier for the valve supporting the latter on one side, a slidable positioning member mounted at the opposite side of said carrier and movable by a movable part of the motor substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier, and a spring inter osed between said positioningr member an said carrier and acting on said carrier in a dual capacity to urge the valve to its seat and for shifting the carrier when properly positioned by said positioning member.

14. In a fluid pressure motor for windshield eleaners, a snap action valve mecha- Ilism comprising n easing `part having a valve seat and an overbanging support provided with a transverse guide, a )ositioning member slidable in the guide or limited movement by a moving part of the motor, a valve movable over the valve seat, a carrier pivoied to the casing part and supporting the valve at one side and having a part extending to the opposite side, and a spring compre: sed between the carrier part and the positioning member for shifting the carrie'r when properly positioned bv said member, said positioning member being offset further from said carrier than said carrier part whereby said spring,r will be disposed at an angle for urging the valve to its seat.

In testimony whereof, we ailx our signatures.

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH. WILLIAM M. FOLBERTH.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION. l

Patent No. 1,670, 680.

Granted 'May 22, 1928, to

FREDERICK G. FOLBERTH ET AL.

lt is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specifiation of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page 3, line 102, claim 2, for the misspelled word "compresion" read "compression"; same page, line 130, claim 3, strike out the words "with said bearing", and page 4, lme 2, claim 3, after the word "seat" insert the words "said bearing with'j; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of June, A. D. 1928.

(Sell) M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

